The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating.
Read our disclaimer for details.

This phase II clinical trial studies how well omega-3 fatty acid works in treating patients with stage I-III breast cancer. Studying samples of tissue and blood in the laboratory from breast cancer patients receiving omega-3 fatty acid may help doctors learn more about the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on tumor cells.

I. To determine if omega-3 dietary supplementation (omega-3 fatty acid) results in higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels in surgical specimens of normal and malignant breast tissue in women who took omega 3 tablets in comparison to those who took placebo.

II. To determine if omega-3 dietary supplementation results in higher PUFA levels in plasma and red blood cells in women who took omega 3 tablets in comparison to those who took placebo.

III. To determine if omega-3 dietary supplementation affects the metabolites of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA in surgical specimens of malignant and normal breast tissue in comparison to controls.

IV. To determine if women who take omega-3 dietary supplementation have less proliferation and greater apoptosis in malignant breast tissue in comparison to women who take placebo.

PUFA levels in normal and metastatic breast tissue and in plasma and red blood cells [ Time Frame: At time of surgery ]

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used to assess the effect of omega-3 dietary supplementation on PUFA levels separately in normal and malignant breast tissue. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be used to assess the omega-3 effect in plasma and red blood cells (RBC), where the baseline levels of the PUFAs will be included as covariates.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

Metabolites of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA in malignant and normal breast tissue [ Time Frame: At time of surgery ]

ANOVA will be used to assess the effect in normal and malignant breast tissue.

Proliferation and apoptosis in malignant breast tissue [ Time Frame: At time of surgery ]

ANOVA will be used to assess the effect in normal and malignant breast tissue.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.